ANSERINE. ANSER. 147 



and oblong, of the neck narrow, and disposed in oblique 

 ridges ; wings large, of twenty-six quills, the second longest, 

 the first slightly shorter ; secondaries broad and rounded, 

 the inner elongated. Tail short, rounded, of sixteen broad 

 feathers. 



The Geese inhabit the temperate and arctic regions of 

 both Continents, reside mostly in marshes, but frequently 

 betake themselves to dry fields and pastures, feed on vege- 

 table substances, walk slowly and sedately, swim with ease, 

 have a strong and rapid flight, and emit harsh cries. They 

 are gregarious, nestle on the ground, and lay numerous, 

 broadly ovate, white eggs. The male continues with the 

 female and young. Their flesh is much esteemed, being 

 nutritious and highly flavoured. 



231. ANSER PALUSTRIS. THICK-BILLED GREY GOOSE. 



Male thirty-three inches long ; bill very thick, as long as 

 the head, two inches and a half in length, an inch and a half 

 in height at the base, ten and a half twelfths in breadth be- 

 hind the circular unguis, yellowish- orange, with the unguis 

 white or bluish-grey ; the tarsus three inches long, flesh-co- 

 loured ; the wings scarcely shorter than the tail ; feathers of 

 the neck linear- oblong, disposed in ridges ; head and neck 

 greyish-brown ; upper parts grey and brown, barred with the 

 whitish terminal margins of the feathers ; hind part of the 

 back ash-grey ; lower parts pale brownish-grey, becoming 

 white behind. Female similar, but smaller. Young with 

 the upper parts darker, the head and neck of a lighter brown. 



"Wild Goose. Marsh Goose. Grey Lag. Grey Goose. 

 Fen Goose. 



Male, 33, 64, 17J, 2^, 3, 3 T V, T V Female, 30, 60. 



This species is not of common occurrence in any part of 

 Britain, and does not remain to breed with us. It arrives in 

 October and departs in April. Generally dispersed over 

 Europe. 



Anas Anser, Linn. Syst. Nat. i. 197. Anas Anser, Lath. 

 Ind. Ornith. ii. 841. Anser ferus, Temm. Man. d'Ornith. 

 iv. 517. Anser palustris, Thick-billed Grey Goose, Mac- 

 Gil livray, Brit. Birds, v. 



232. ANSER SEGETUM. NARROW-BILLED GREY GOOSE. 

 Male thirty inches long ; bill moderately thick, nearly as 



